Researcher

Research Overview

The Ultrasound Education Group is part of the Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne and is located on the 6th floor of the Centre for Medical Research Building, co-located with The Royal Melbourne Hospital

"The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct is made up of over 40 hospitals, research, teaching and biotechnology organisations largely collocated to the north of Melbourne’s CBD in the area extending from East Melbourne, Carlton and North Melbourne to Parkville in the north." - credit: MelbourneBioMed

Research themes include a wide range of ultrasound including transoesophageal echocardiography for cardiac surgery, clinical point of care diagnostic ultrasound of heart, lungs, abdomen, vascular, invasive procedures, and new techniques. Other active areas of research include cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic anaesthesia, postoperative quality of recovery in all types of surgery, and medical education.

In 2015 the unit was successful in obtaining the largest NHMRC grant awarded to a department from The University of Melbourne, which was for The International Multi-centre Randomised Trial on Transfusion Triggers in Cardiac Surgery, led from Ontario, Canada.

UEG develop and administer graduate courses in clinical ultrasound at a certificate, diploma or master’s level, which is well subscribed both within Australia and Internationally. The courses are unique in that they are extremely efficient, implementing a state-of-the-art on-line interactive eLearning software and platforms for both educational delivery as well as student enrolment, tracking and engagement.

In 2011, UEG received the Teaching Award for Excellence in Program Development with the Postgraduate courses in clinical ultrasound. Recently, the group has acquired high fidelity simulator equipment and set up a simulator education laboratory and education program, which is led by Dr David Canty, The Director of Simulation. A number of courses have been set up, which have been very successful amongst medical specialists, trainees and residents and are likely to change the way that practical ultrasound skills are learned. Details of the courses and workshops can be found at